By Pastor Chad
No normal person seeks out sorrow. But avoid it as we may, sorrow will find us at some point in life. There is a difference, however, between periods of sorrow and a life of sorrow. Christians–just like everyone else–experience periods of lament and sorrow in this fallen world. Sometimes these periods may be quite lengthy and difficult. Christians also may suffer from pain and anguish that is a result of sickness and loss. Additionally, Christians, too, suffer from psychological ailments that are both acute and chronic. The difference, though, is that Christians do not live a life of sorrow. Sorrow does not define or fully control a Christian’s life. Why? Sorrow does not define a Christian’s life because Jesus has risen from the grave.
You see, Christians understand that if Jesus never rose from the grave, we are still dead in our trespasses and sin. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, then we still are lost. We still are disconnected from God. We still are hell-bound. If Jesus wasn’t raised from the dead, then Christianity is a farce and your supposed walk with God is a joke. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then He isn’t the Son of God. And if He isn’t the Son of God, then we are still lost in sin and death. We are groping around in the dark trying to determine what’s up and down. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, we truly have no spiritual direction. We no more know God than we know anything about the afterlife. Indeed, if Jesus is still dead in the tomb, then we have much reason for sorrow and lamentation: our lives are purposeless and meaningless.
Jesus, however, did rise from the grave. He is no longer dead. This was no mere spiritual resurrection. Jesus rose bodily, physically from the grave. Therefore, Christians have reason to rejoice. Sorrow does not define our lives because we have been bought by the blood of Christ. We have been saved. We are forever transformed. He who was dead now lives: We are not slaves to sin and self. Freedom awaits the repent sinner. He who was dead now lives: All of creation can rejoice for our God has shown His power over sin and death. He who was dead now lives: Our God did not leave us to wallow in our sin and shame. He sought us. He called us. He found us. He saved us.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not simply a nice, heartwarming story. It has real consequences upon our lives now and in eternity. It is a defining historical moment that has both a physical and spiritual impact upon all who follow Jesus. We are forgiven. We are saved. We have been changed. We are His. We have meaning. And we have purpose.